The SSV Navicula Star is FreeStar's first acquired vessel. (Image source: FreeStar Subsea Services)

A newest addition to the ever-growing innovative offshore market is FreeStar Subsea Services, a merger by Vriezoo ROV Services and Mark Offshore

After years of dedicated research, the company has launched the outfitted SSV Navicula Star vessel, acquired from the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ).

Founded by Mark van der Star and Willem de Vries, FreeStar boasts its equal efficiency in not only offering ROV but also survey support services. Over time, it has extensive plans to introduce a comprehensive suite of subsea services, including bathymetric and geotechnical surveys, cable protection, and burial operations.

“The SSV Navicula Star is equipped with an onboard ROV to quickly respond and save costs at the start of a project. The vessel can accommodate 11 people and is equipped with a crane, two davits and an A-frame with several winches, for deploying and/or recovering a variety of loads into or out from the water. The ROV control and survey desk are situated inside at deck level for quick response to the workdeck. With a draft of only 1 m, it is also capable of beaching. In our view, this makes the Navicula Star the ultimate shallow water vessel,” said Star, who has 25 years of experience as a sailor, shipowner, and both operations and commercial director. 

Bringing in a rich experience from his own underwater inspection business, Vriers ensured that the venture's procedures are ISO certified and comply with voluntary ISM standards. “With our fleet of five offshore and four inshore ROV systems and the Navicula Star, we can provide our clients with complete service offerings,” he said. 

As the market for vessel capacity continues to be tight, FreeStar's entry couldn't have been timelier. 

Tech innovations galore

Given the time-consuming process of acquiring and familiarising with the nature of a vessel, FreeStar onboarded AI-provider TechBinder whose smart vessel optimiser (SVO) was deployed to build a network of all electrical systems and ensure power optimisation. It made the complicated process of understanding a vessel's power dynamics and making data-driven decisions smooth sailing. Vessels are increasingly becoming electric with the latest example being the modular, electric-drive design of the 18-mtpa Rovuma Onshore LNG facilities. 

The SVO technology can constantly monitor exhaust fumes output and update consumption patterns accordingly. While it is originally a diesel-powered vessel, the Navicula Star will run on HVO biofuel, keeping sustainability in mind. 

Another company that became a part of the project with its interactive map system GR:Dit was Periplus. GR:Dit allows users to store and analyse all kinds of spatial geodata, which can be directly accessed even mid-survey or mid-ROV mission. 

“We are very proud to have taken delivery of the Navicula Star and to have started FreeStar with Mark Offshore. This will elevate our service level and broaden our horizons. I am excited to embark on this new journey and look forward to growing the business in the coming years,” said Vries.

Star said, “We are shallow draft and offshore specialists. With our own vessel, added with Vriezoo’s underwater inspection, repair and maintenance capabilities, FreeStar is looking forward to serve our existing and new clients around the globe. I am enthusiastic about the opportunities ahead and look forward to showcase the Navicula Star to our clients. We want to thank NIOZ for their cooperation and the delivery of the RV Navicula. We are very proud to give this beautiful lady a new career!”

EHP530 and EHP531 hoses are compatible with various oil types and petroleum, including petroleum products with aromatic content up to 50%. (Image source: Danfoss Power Solutions)

Danfoss Power Solutions has launched its Boston by Danfoss EHP530 and EHP531 antistatic hoses

Designed for oil, fuel, and gas transfer applications, the hoses increase safety, reliability, and ease of use.

Suitable for suction and discharge applications, EHP530 and EHP531 antistatic hoses enhance safety by protecting against static buildup and discharge. The inner tube is constructed of a specialized antistatic rubber compound, ensuring 100% antistatic performance. The hoses feature high-tensile textile reinforcement with copper wire for grounding and steel helix wire to prevent collapse during suction, enhancing performance and reliability. An NVC blend rubber cover offers ozone and oil resistance.

EHP530 hose has a pressure rating of 10.5 bar (150 psi) and is available in sizes ranging from -12 to -192. EHP531 hose features a pressure rating of 20.7 bar (300 psi) and is available in sizes ranging from -16 to -128. All hoses within each product line maintain these pressure ratings, offering consistent performance regardless of size. With a 3:1 safety factor, the hoses offer durability and reliability in demanding applications.

EHP530 and EHP531 hoses offer greater flexibility than other petroleum and oil transfer hoses on the market, making them easier to handle during assembly and operation. With dual ink and embossed laylines, the hose is easier to identify — even after a long service life — which improves traceability and simplifies hose replacement.
“Our new Boston by Danfoss EHP530 and EHP531 hoses are a standout product for safety-critical applications such as oil and gas transfer,” said Okan Cebeci, EMEA product manager, Rubber Hydraulic Hose and Fittings, Danfoss Power Solutions. “Offering fully antistatic construction, consistent pressure performance across a variety of sizes, and superior flexibility, the hoses can help increase safety, reliability, and ease of use.”

EHP530 and EHP531 hoses are compatible with various oil types and petroleum, including petroleum products with aromatic content up to 50%. Wide chemical compatibility enables the hoses to be reliably used across a range of applications in the oil and gas industry.

The new programmes will be merged with previously acquired data to create a seamless and contiguous total volume of more than 16,000 sq km. (Image source: CGG/Wood Mackenzie)

CGG, in association with Côte d’Ivoire's Direction Générale des Hydrocarbures (DGH) and PETROCI Holding, has announced two new multi-client 3D reimaging programmes, CDI24 Phase I (3,120 sq km) and Phase II (6,610 sq km)

Both projects are supported by the industry, with Phase I commencing immediately and Phase II planned for H1 2025.

These new programmes will be merged with the CDI23 (6,430 sq km) reimaged data (originally marketed as 2023/2024 PDSM), to create a seamless and contiguous total volume of over 16,000 sq km, overlapping the recently announced Calao discovery and adjacent to the world-class Baleine field.

Drawing on more than 90 years of geoscience expertise, CGG is utilising its latest proprietary imaging technologies and highly specialised high-performance computing to provide the best possible results from legacy 3D seismic to support exploration offshore Côte d'Ivoire. These cutting-edge tools, including time-lag FWI, Q-FWI, Q-Kirchhoff and advanced deghosting and demultiple techniques, aim to produce clearer images of the deep structural plays not visible in the legacy data, as well as imaging the Calao Cenomanian and Baleine Carbonate fairways at unrivalled resolution, providing a step-change in understanding of the opportunities in the region.

Dechun Lin, executive vice-president - earth data, CGG, said, “CGG is supporting the energy industry by using innovative imaging technology to create new value from existing seismic data in the region. These premium reimaged data sets will provide an all-encompassing and highly accurate view of Côte d'Ivoire's potential, empowering the industry to de-risk future exploration and unlock new energy reserves confidently.”

The urea valve draws on IMI’s extensive expertise in valve installation in oil and gas refineries. (Image source: IMI)

IMI is launching its first control valve for urea plants, which is set to be installed at one of the major fertiliser plants in the MEA region for the first time later this year

The newly designed urea valve draws on IMI’s extensive expertise in designing, installing and maintaining valves in power plants and oil and gas refineries, as well as extensive engagement with the industry. The valve is a product of IMI’s Growth Hub innovation engine, which aims to accelerate the development of new products in collaboration with customers.

The fertiliser industry faces wide ranging challenges such as gland leakage, corrosion and erosion of valve internals, as well granulation at lower fluid temperatures. Additionally, the flashing liquid is a particular challenge for the design of urea valves because it impinges on the body or trim parts at higher velocities due to changes in fluid phases.

IMI’s solution is designed to overcome these challenges. It features an angle over-the-plug configuration with its straight outlet for the flashing fluid, while a rapid increase of the flow diameter downstream where the fluid expands avoids flashing damage downstream of the valve.

Meanwhile, gland leakage resulting from erosive particulate in the urea fluid scratching the valve stem is addressed with wiper/backup rings that prevent packing failure from granules and hard particles. The innovative rings comprise tough but smooth aramid fibre yarns at the corners, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) graphite fibre yarn at the faces, and high density extruded and expanded PFTE cord at the core.

As well as being designed to robustly withstand highly corrosive urea with no dead zone in the body, the valve has been designed with ease of maintenance in mind, featuring a split body and integral bonnet.

Jackie Hu, CEO, Automation at IMI, said, “The development of our first urea valve clearly demonstrates the value of the Growth Hub and of engaging with customers at the earliest stages of the development process.

“Urea valves pose significant engineering challenges because of their exposure to a highly corrosive substance, which our team has worked hard to overcome. The sector has long grappled with inadequate and obsolete valves. The solution we have proposed has been developed collaboratively with the sector to address the key problems its engineers face.”